The San Antonio Scorpions have made a habit of living dangerously, pulling out two wins and two draws with late goals.

Despite saving their best chances for last, they were unable to pull off another great escape Saturday at Heroes Stadium, settling for a 0-0 deadlock with defending North American Soccer League champion Minnesota FC.

A victory would have pushed the Scorpions (4-2-3, 16 points) into sole possession of first place. They remain in third, a point behind the Stars (4-0-5, 17 points) and Puerto Rico, which tops the table via goal difference.

“The chances were there for three (points),” manager Tim Hankinson said. “But when you play against last year's champion, it's not going to be easy.”

Minnesota can thank keeper Matthew Van Oekel for the point after denying Scorpions striker Pablo Campos on a string of dangerous chances in the final 10 minutes.

He first raced off his line to smother the ball after Campos turned off a Minnesota defender for an open look about 10 yards in front of goal.

San Antonio peppered Van Oekel's frame with six shots in the second half, a marked contrast from a lackluster first half where neither team seriously threatened.

The Stars' lone shot on goal came in the 37th minute, a 35-yard roller from Simone Bracalello that Daryl Sattler could have saved with his feet. Their best chance resulted from Fuad Ibrahim's seeking cross in the 71st, but teammate Devin Del Do floated his header over the crossbar.

Fatigue was almost certainly a factor with both sides playing their fifth match in 15 days.

While Pitchkolan dismissed using weariness as an excuse, Hankinson said the packed schedule has clearly taken a toll.

“I thought there was fatigue at every position of everyone who played against Houston (last Tuesday in the U.S. Open Cup),” he said. “The only guy who showed the fuel was Walter (Ramirez) because he didn't play.”

There will be no rest for the weary, however. Both teams have Cup matches on Tuesday: The Scorpions will play USL Pro's Charlotte Eagles, a third-tier club, while Minnesota visits the MLS's San Jose Earthquakes.